Posted on Nov 27, 2015
Did you know that China Retools Its Military With a First Overseas Outpost in Djibouti?
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Did you know that China Retools Its Military With a First Overseas Outpost in Djibouti?
RP Members should we be concerned with China's expansion into the African Continent?
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/27/world/asia/china-military-presence-djibouti-africa.html?_r=0
BEIJING — China announced on Thursday that it would establish its first overseas military outpost and unveiled a sweeping plan to reorganize its military into a more agile force capable of projecting power abroad.
The outpost, in the East African nation of Djibouti, breaks with Beijing’s longstanding policy against emulating the United States in building military facilities abroad.
The Foreign Ministry refrained from describing the new installation as a military base, saying it would be used to resupply Chinese Navy ships that have been participating in United Nations antipiracy missions.
Yet by establishing an outpost in the Horn of Africa — more than 4,800 miles away from Beijing and near some of the world’s most volatile regions — President Xi Jinping is leading the military beyond its historical focus on protecting the nation’s borders.
RP Members should we be concerned with China's expansion into the African Continent?
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/27/world/asia/china-military-presence-djibouti-africa.html?_r=0
BEIJING — China announced on Thursday that it would establish its first overseas military outpost and unveiled a sweeping plan to reorganize its military into a more agile force capable of projecting power abroad.
The outpost, in the East African nation of Djibouti, breaks with Beijing’s longstanding policy against emulating the United States in building military facilities abroad.
The Foreign Ministry refrained from describing the new installation as a military base, saying it would be used to resupply Chinese Navy ships that have been participating in United Nations antipiracy missions.
Yet by establishing an outpost in the Horn of Africa — more than 4,800 miles away from Beijing and near some of the world’s most volatile regions — President Xi Jinping is leading the military beyond its historical focus on protecting the nation’s borders.
China
Foreign Forces
Foreign Policy
Foreign Affairs
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
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Sp4 Byron Skinner. I agree with the last sentence 100%. The Chinese are over reaching. That said the Chinese have no shown the world that in has the Expeditionary capabilities to fight or even support a non combat deployment out side its territorial borders. So far the Chinese efforts to become involved in international collations like the Russian doesn't exist. Both the Russian and Chinese can lay claim to being no more then a third or forth rate power. Before all of you soil you drawers France, Britain, Japan and India all have superior militaries to China. China since the Ming Dynasty has been purely a ground power. Nobody is interested other then perhaps the Russians to engage the Chinese in a land war. A Naval conflict with the US would only last a couple of hours and that is with out using the nuclear option.
"Olde Chinese saying. "One carrier is a demonstration, two carriers are a problem."
"Olde Chinese saying. "One carrier is a demonstration, two carriers are a problem."
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When America stands down, other nations rush in to fill the vacuum we leave behind us.
Usually nations without our best interests at heart.
Usually nations without our best interests at heart.
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I wouldn't be concerned too much at this point, it's not a very large base from what I've read. We should maintain overwatch on what they're doing like we have been, but this is a first that the US and China militaries will be in such close proximity to each other. For now, let's just raise the concern level only a tad until we get more intel.
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China is one of many nations (including the USA) to exploit the African continent for its resources.
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MCPO Roger Collins
Save me some time, Capt. what resources are there that are not available elsewhere with no where near the difficulties? Serious question, BTW.
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Capt Dwayne Conyers
Well MCPO Roger Collins, there is Platinum... Diamonds... Uranium... Cocoa... Copper... Gold... Silver... Bauxite...
I could go on...
And, in the 18th Century... Human capital which directly contributed to American wealth.
And, in Marvel comics, Vibranuim.
But, seriously… see:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_resources_of_Africa
I could go on...
And, in the 18th Century... Human capital which directly contributed to American wealth.
And, in Marvel comics, Vibranuim.
But, seriously… see:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_resources_of_Africa
Natural resources of Africa - Wikipedia
Africa has a large quantity of natural resources, including diamonds, salt, gold, iron, cobalt, uranium, copper, bauxite, silver, petroleum and cocoa beans, but also woods and tropical fruits. Much of its natural resources are undiscovered or barely harnessed. Having a low human density, for a long period of time Africa has been colonized by more dynamic groups, exploiting African resources. Some economists[who?] have talked about the 'scourge...
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MCPO Roger Collins
Capt Dwayne Conyers - So, they have resources and human capital. Seems that they should be able to capitalize on it without anyone's help.
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I saw on the news just this morning that China has its base in Djibouti.
Looks like a choke point they have oversight of now. Just what the region needed...not!
Looks like a choke point they have oversight of now. Just what the region needed...not!
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We should be watching/monitoring to see how this plays out, but worried about it in a flustered sense, no. Making a show of power is more than just placing men and machines at pre positioned points. And as with Russia quantity not quality is on their side.
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The Chinese have been constructing port facilities and infrastructure to support it for a couple years now. It is very modest, about 500 meters square with one solid concrete quay. It is not deep water there, so they'll need to dredge a lot in order to get anything with a deep draft in there.
While there are ramifications for China establishing a forward base, this is a very modest facility.
While there are ramifications for China establishing a forward base, this is a very modest facility.
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Power projection. Unfortunately for the USA, China is doing much to prove they are the leading nation for the future. In energy production/acquisition and military technology and spreading over the globe.
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No COL Mikel J. Burroughs I did not know that China established its first overseas outpost in Djibouti. The Chinese have been retooling their military and defense industries for along time.
This may well be the first overt establishment of an overpost outpost for he Chinese military; but, their expansions into the Spratly Islands would be considered by many to be an establishment of overseas bases.
Almost certainly they have covertly established operating bases for covert operations throughout Asia for decades.
This may well be the first overt establishment of an overpost outpost for he Chinese military; but, their expansions into the Spratly Islands would be considered by many to be an establishment of overseas bases.
Almost certainly they have covertly established operating bases for covert operations throughout Asia for decades.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
LTC Stephen F. You may have something there about the covert base operations, but I would the US would be fully aware of those locations. This is the first time I've seen them come out and openly let the world know of a such a base of operations. Of course, its the first time I really paid attention to China!
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